Horry County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Located in the easternmost county of South Carolina, Horry County has a population of over 356,500 and its county seat is Conway. Circuit Courts, Family Courts, Probate Courts, Magistrate Courts, and Municipal Courts make up the trial court system in Horry County. All civil and criminal proceedings fall within the overall jurisdiction of the county's Circuit Court, which also typically handles cases that fall outside the jurisdiction of other courts. Certain types of proceedings fall under the limited jurisdiction of Family Courts, Probate Courts, Magistrates Courts, and Municipal Courts.

The Horry County Circuit Court, located in Conway, handles the most serious matters, including felonies, some misdemeanors, and civil claims exceeding $7500. It also tackles domestic relations issues like divorce and child custody. The county Family Court specializes in domestic matters, which include divorce, child custody, support, and most juvenile delinquency, although some traffic violations fall under other courts. The Horry County Probate Court handles wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, and involuntary commitments. Finally, Magistrates and Municipal Courts address minor issues. Magistrates Courts deal with civil claims under $7,500, landlord-tenant disputes, and minor crimes. Municipal Courts focus on traffic violations and breaches of local ordinances. There is some overlap, with Circuit Courts sharing jurisdiction with Magistrates and Family Courts on certain matters. Municipal Courts in the county have no jurisdiction over civil cases.

Over 17,000 cases are handled in the Horry County court system each year, providing valuable insights into the development of the county's judicial system. With 4,790.4 crimes committed against every 100,000 citizens, the county is a shining illustration of the benefits of having a robust legal system. Court records in Horry County are maintained electronically by the county's Clerk of Courts. To access these records, members of the public can use the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index. Horry County also maintains a public inquiry platform for its Probate Court cases as well as a public access platform for Family Court cases.

In summary, the court system in Horry County is an essential component of the county government, dedicated to maintaining justice in various court cases. A wide range of cases can be handled by the county's diverse legal system, which consists of Circuit Courts, Family Courts, Probate Courts, Magistrate Courts, and Municipal Courts. The implementation of an electronic system that ensures accessibility and transparency while safeguarding court records has increased public confidence in the Horry County judicial system.